Tag Archives: Ma.Ktober

Pascal just posted the final poster of all the Ma.Ktoberfest entries. Huge thanks to him for the amount of effort doing all that editting!

So what is my opinion on this past month? One word, “WOW!”

When I first planned on organizing the build challenge, I figured there would be a decent amount of participation, but the sheer number of builds and the quality thereof absolutely exceeded all expectations. It really was neat to sit back and watch so many builders get in on the fun. So gigantic thank you to all that participated, it was an absolute blast!

176 BUILDS BY 64 BUILDERS

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Well Ma.Ktoberfest wraps up today, what a month it has been. Stay tuned for my final announcement, but in the meantime I want to make mention of one builder in particular who most certainly stepped up to the plate. Keep in mind he has done all of this while at the same time editing everyone else’s contributions for the final poster…

Not since Nnenn’s epic Novvember performance, have I seen a contribution to a monthly build challenge on par with what Pascal (paukaru76) did this Ma.Ktoberfest. Each day of the month he posted a different model, and his ability to capture the aesthetic with his unique minimalist style is just beyond awesome. The creativity just makes me so happy :)

So a HUGE thanks to you buddy! You kept producing brilliant stuff the entire month, and kept us all entertained!

Please be sure to click through his photostream if you haven’t already, there is some absolutely glorious stuff in there. Here are a few of my favourites:

I find it incredibly challenging both to build on a deadline and to build within someone else’s aesthetic — I’ve managed to avoid both over the years. I’d admired LEGO creations inspired by Maschinen Krieger for a long time, and I’m reasonably sure I ran across the original Kow Yokoyama kits in hobby shops back in Japan in the 80’s, but I’d never tried my hand at the theme.

At the end of September, I decided it was time to seek my fortune in greener pastures (yup, I’m available!), taking a few weeks off to look for a new gig. Thus, with more “LEGO time” than I normally have, the Ma.Ktoberfest build challenge organized by TR and Pascal seemed like the perfect opportunity to participate.

Faced with a big pile of curvy bricks, I got into the Ma.K spirit by pumping out a few variations on TR’s wonderful SAFS (Super Armored Fighting Suit) design. As much as I love all the hyper-detailed suits at larger scales, I think TR’s design is absolutely perfect for minifig-scale.

But building a few small hardsuits wasn’t what I set out to do; reproducing one of Maschinen Krieger originator Kow Yokoyama’s designs was high on my list of Ma.Ktoberfest priorities. Perhaps a big curvy hovertank might’ve been simpler than the fiddly bits in this automated reconnaissance robot, but I’m fairly pleased with my “Neuspotter”.

Ultimately though, I wanted to create an original design of my own that still felt like it could be from the Maschinen Krieger universe. My “Kookaburra” incorporates pneumatic tanks underneath a sand-green cowling. Oddly, I’m proudest of the detailed base and crew…

Here’s the Kookaburra on patrol with another variation on TR’s SAFS design, a space-based electronic warfare version I’m calling the Growler.

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Well I think Sean & Steph Mayo (Siercon and Coral) win the prize for making me laugh the hardest at any LEGO model! I love a good play on words at the best of times, but you mix that with Maschinen Krieger during Ma.Ktoberfest…and you know I am gonna like it :D

And you simply must watch the commercial!

Well played guys, very well played!!

I would link to the Creations for Charity site for those that may be interested in buying this glorious creation…but too late, I already bought it for myself!

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As Ma.Ktober has progressed, the most wonderous thing has happened…builders from all over have been creating Maschinen Krieger hardsuits of all shapes, sizes and colours. Considering that the hardsuits are the most prominent piece of hardware within the universe, it really isn’t surprising that there have been so many this month. But the quality and creative twists taken is certainly a nice surprise. Here are some of my favourites.

Will Page uses the Rebel Vanguard helmets to brilliant effect on his space-based suit.

_Tiler’s Fatboy is wonderfully adorable, I just want to rub it’s little belly. The fact that it is so shiny helps too :)

Tim Zarki goes to a larger scale to achieve a fantastically accurate representation of the bad to the bone SAFS Snake Eye.

D-Town Cracka also utilizes the Vanguard helmets, as well as, one of my favourite elements (the Bionicle mask/visor thingamajig) to create this AFS Skinhead…wouldn’t want to face this guy in a snowball fight!

Vincent also goes to a larger scale to build one of my favourite Ma.K suits, the Kauz. The slightly odd colourscheme looks fantastic…and I can’t get enough of hearts!!

And last but not least, Nate Decastro produced an awesomely creative design in his SAFS Shogun…and presented it in a very Maschinen Kriegery way…

I really wish I could feature all the fantastic creations being submitted, but that would possibly be the longest blog post ever. So I will instead urge you all to peruse the brilliance in the Ma.K Bricks pool

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I sadly have not had the time to neither participate in Ma.Ktoberfest as I had hoped, nor to blog the awesome creations from everyone else. So over the final week of the festivities I will try and make more of an effort to at least rectify the latter by featuring some of my favourites.

First up is LEGOLIZE IT MAN, who has been churning out some absolutely brilliant designs for the build challenge. Both the quality of the models, and the style of presentation have put a huge smile on my face everytime he posts something new.

His latest, the AZ ULF – Moon Bull is wonderfully hulking creation that bristles with a glorious combination of smooth curves and mechanical detail! Delicious stuff!

His Svend Repair Mech is a perfectly haphazard design with some great angles going on.

And lastly, his Moon-Squito has to be one of my favourite models posted this year. It just captures the Maschinen Krieger aesthetic so perfectly!

Please be sure to click through his Ma.Ktoberfest 2012 set to see his other great creations, and alternate views

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Custom-painted Lego creations are rare due to the labor-intensive process but more so due to its blatant violation of purism. But when done properly, it can look gorgeous as demonstrated by this Maschinen Krieger inspired hovercraft by VolumeX.

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I am very happy to announce that the month of Ma.Ktober is upon us, and as a result Ma.Ktoberfest has begun! I would like to invite all LEGO maniacs out there to partake in what I like to call, the Ma.Ktoberfestivities. Come on over to the Ma.K Bricks group to peruse the goings on. This year we are hoping to get a bunch of participation of all sorts. There are no requirements or rules, except to have fun and build something based on, or inspired by, the Maschinen Krieger Universe. For those that aren’t 100% sure what exactly that is, there is some good links and background info in the group. So whether you feel like building a small vehicle, hardsuit, or even a large diorama…we would absolutely love to see what you come up with. This isn’t a contest, but a month long build challenge with the hope of inspiring a tonne of fantastic builds!

Anyone that would like to see their creation on the month-end poster, please submit a single clear photo to the entry thread. (You must join the group to do so). Once again, Official AFOL Poster creator, Pascal has offered to do the poster…so please go easy on the poor guy and don’t put too many antennas and dangly bits on your models ;)

Huge thanks, high fives, and hugs to my other buddy Stijn for designing the rockin’ announcement poster…I highly suggest that everyone surround themselves with awesome graphic designers like I have done :D